Recently, I always hear customers ask: "The packaging machine vacuum pump used in our factory is getting louder and louder, and the vacuum pumping speed is also slower. Is there something wrong?" As an old technician who has been working on the vacuum pump production line for more than ten years, today I will talk to you about this common problem-the judgment and replacement of vane wear.
Let's talk about our most common judgment methods first. When the packaging machine vacuum pump encounters these three situations, you should be alert: first, the vacuum degree drops significantly, and the vacuuming that could be completed in 3 seconds now takes more than 5 seconds; second, there is an intermittent "clicking" sound during operation, like the sound of sandpaper rubbing against metal; finally, the lubricating oil in the oil window becomes turbid and black, and there are tiny metal chips floating on the surface. Last month, when we inspected the equipment of a food factory in Zhejiang, we accurately judged the wear problem of the rotors of 3 vacuum pumps through these three indicators.
When it comes to specific inspections, our workshop master has a mnemonic of "one listen, two touch, and three observations". Put your ear close to the pump body. During normal operation, there should be a steady "buzzing" sound. If there is a metal scratching sound, it is likely that there is a gap between the rotor and the pump cavity. After shutting down, turn the coupling by hand. If you feel a stuck point, combined with the oil quality test, you can basically determine whether it needs to be disassembled for inspection. I remember that when I helped Shandong customers with maintenance last year, I predicted the failure two weeks in advance through this local method.
When it comes to replacing the vanes, we recommend preparing these three tools: a special puller, non-woven fabric, and vacuum pump oil. When disassembling, be sure to mark the installation direction of each component, especially the position of the spring locating pin. Before installing the new vane, be sure to clean it with kerosene. After installation, manually turn it 20 times. This step is easy to be overlooked by many newcomers. Last quarter, when we maintained our own equipment, we found that the service life of the correctly pre-running vane can be extended by an average of 30%.
In terms of daily maintenance, our factory master summarized the "three regular" principles: regular oil level check (recommended once a week), regular filter replacement (at least once a quarter), regular vacuum test (with pressure gauge monthly test). Special reminder to everyone, never mix different brands of lubricants. Last year, a customer caused the vane to be scrapped prematurely because of this, and lost several production shifts.
Finally, a reminder to everyone, when the packaging machine vacuum pump has the following conditions, it must be shut down for maintenance: the oil temperature rises abnormally above 75°C, the pump body vibrates violently, or the vacuum suddenly returns to zero. Our maintenance team encountered a case last month. A customer in Guangdong insisted on running the machine with a problem, which resulted in scratches on the pump chamber and tripled the maintenance cost. In fact, if the vanes are regularly maintained, the vacuum pump of the packaging machine can be used for five or six years without any problem.
If you are unsure in actual operation, please feel free to contact our factory's technical team. Our packaging machine vacuum pumps are equipped with exclusive maintenance codes. Take a photo of the nameplate and send it to us. We can call up the equipment file and remotely guide you step by step. After all, equipment is like our friends. Regular maintenance can make them work more vigorously, right?
